Pland Collaborative worked with the JF Maddox Foundation to develop a vision and corresponding revitalization strategies for downtown Hobbs. In the City’s early years, the downtown area was the center of commerce and activity, with a bustling mainstreet that was lined with shops and businesses. Today, there is a high vacancy rate, many storefronts are underutilized, and there is minimal pedestrian activity.

Pland was hired, along with an economic development expert from Santa Fe, to develop strategies to reverse this trend and make downtown a vibrant and attractive place for residents and visitors. Essential to the project was a robust public outreach strategy that included focus groups with targeted stakeholders, attending popular public events, and virtual visioning sessions that included board game-like development scenarios in which stakeholders could invest a limited budget in the downtown area, using playing cards with investment strategies and their respective dollar amounts. In neighborhoods adjacent to the downtown core, over 70% of residents are born outside of the US. To reach this diverse population, the team modified their initial plan by adding engagement at community events and in front of community hubs, like the popular local grocery store, La Esperanza. This multi-pronged engagement strategy facilitated feedback from a diverse group of stakeholders, creating a more representative vision for downtown.